Model of a Protected Cruiser c. 1893 - 1896

This ‘Model of a Protected Cruiser’ was likely made towards the end of the 19th century. The unknown maker meticulously crafted a miniature version of a warship during an era defined by European imperialism and intense naval competition. At the time, ships such as these functioned as symbols of power, both for the nation that commissioned them and for the industrialists and laborers who built them. Think about the personal pride, collective identity, and economic interests tied to this kind of ship. Naval power was also fundamentally linked to the control of global trade routes. These routes were implicated in the exploitation of resources and labor in colonized territories. This model, therefore, also alludes to a darker side of progress, one shaped by racial and economic inequality. Ultimately, this model invites reflection on how objects can embody both technological advancement and the complex legacies of imperial ambition.